Exploring the Interactions between Social Movement Activists and Target Organizations on Social Media

2023 | Americas Conference on Information Systems | Citations: 0

Authors: Bakhshi, Fateme; Faik, Isam

Abstract: Social movements are recognized as significant agents of change in modern socie ... Expand

Abstract: Social movements are recognized as significant agents of change in modern societies. Their influence is increasingly channeled through social media platforms to mobilize support and direct collective action toward targeted organizations. However, targeted organizations also resort to social media channels to counter the actions of social movements that are directed at them. There is little research on organizations' responses to movement's actions on social media. This study endeavors to explore the dynamics of interactions between social movement activists and their target organizations by utilizing narrative network analysis. Drawing on framing theory, this research endeavors to elucidate how social movement actors employ various frames. Specifically, we examine the Twitter accounts of various Canadian banks and activists targeting them for their investments in fossil fuels. We analyze the narrative networks and counter-networks to develop a theoretical understanding of how the social media interactions between activists and target organizations evolve over time. Collapse

Topics: social media Twitter web page design thinking

Methods: narrative network analysis network analysis computational algorithm event log

Theories: framing theory